Family Office Setup Cost Calculator
A single-family office (SFO) requires $100M+ in assets to justify the investment. Setup costs range $250,000–$1.5M; annual operating costs $500,000–$3M+ depending on complexity, geography, and service scope.
Quick Family Office Budget
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SFO vs MFO Cost Comparison
Compare single-family office vs. multi-family office.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does a single-family office make financial sense?
The traditional threshold is $100M+ in investable assets, though many advisors now suggest $150M-$250M for a true SFO. Below $100M, a multi-family office (MFO) or outsourced family office (OFO) provides better economics. At $250M AUM, a well-run SFO costs $750,000-$1.5M/year (0.3-0.6% of AUM) vs. an MFO at 0.8-1.5% ($2M-$3.75M). The control, privacy, and customization justify the premium for ultra-HNWIs.
What staff does a family office need?
Minimum viable SFO: Chief Investment Officer ($200,000-$400,000), Family Office Manager ($100,000-$200,000), accountant/bookkeeper ($60,000-$100,000), legal counsel (in-house or retainer). Mid-size SFO adds: portfolio analysts, tax specialists, compliance officer, IT/cybersecurity. Large SFO: full investment team, private equity specialists, real estate team, philanthropy director, travel concierge, and up to 50 staff.
What technology systems does a family office use?
Core technology stack: portfolio management system (Addepar, Orion — $50,000-$200,000/year), consolidated reporting (Addepar, Black Diamond), accounting (Sage Intacct, NetSuite — $20,000-$60,000/year), document management, cybersecurity stack ($30,000-$100,000/year), and family governance tools. Total technology budget for a mid-size SFO: $100,000-$300,000/year.
What is the difference between SFO and MFO?
Single-family office (SFO): serves one family exclusively, maximum customization and privacy, higher cost, requires significant minimum assets. Multi-family office (MFO): serves multiple families, shared infrastructure costs, less customization, lower effective fee. Examples: Bessemer Trust (MFO, $10M minimum), GenSpring, Whittier Trust. OFOs (outsourced) use third-party providers for most functions. Many families start with MFO/OFO and graduate to SFO as wealth grows.
Family Office Setup Cost Guide 2026
Setting up a single-family office is one of the most significant infrastructure investments an ultra-HNWI can make. With over 10,000 single-family offices globally managing an estimated $6 trillion in assets, the SFO model has become the gold standard for wealth management above $150M. Key considerations include governance structure, technology selection, talent acquisition, and ongoing compliance requirements.